[nagdu] {Disarmed} Fake Service Dogs, Real Problem | Cesar Millan

Fri May 24 15:28:22 UTC 2013

Does anyone know what a shop owner can and can't ask concerning a guide dog
upon entering there establishment, and where can I find the answer in print?
Thanks,
Ken & Ace

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Star Gazer
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2013 11:13 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] {Disarmed} Fake Service Dogs, Real Problem | Cesar
Millan

I sure hope not!

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of James Alan Boehm
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2013 11:05 AM
To: National Association of Guide Dog Users Gwizdala
Subject: [nagdu] {Disarmed} Fake Service Dogs, Real Problem | Cesar Millan

Hello friends.
I came accross this article and wanted your thoughts. I know may have pushed
legislation that denies a companiy to ask for cerification of a service dog.
One issue that has encouraged businesses and such to ask for verification is
due to the fact that many abuse and claim their dog is a service dog- a dog
who has no training. The dog will behave inappropriately,making it more
difficult for those who have legitimate guide dogs. Further, the handler who
takes his pet friend and claims the animal is a service animal, has no
training themselves as to how to a service animal as well as the laws and
do's and don'ts of public mobility. This makes it  again much more difficult
for us I feel. Whay are your thoughts? Is there any programs or action being
taken to try to make it more difficult for people to abuse the system?
Best,
James
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DOG TRAINING
Fake Service Dogs, Real Problem

By Brian Fischler

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) website defines service animals as
dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people
with disabilities. That’s a very clear, concise definition.

So why does an online ad elsewhere read, “Identification for your service
dog will reduce conflict. Get yours before the law changes!”

It’s never surprising what you can find for sale online. A Google search
produced a multitude of different service/emotional dog kits for sale from
several different small companies. These kits will provide tags for your dog
claiming they are a service or emotional dog, identification for you and
your dog as a service dog, and a service dog vest.

What is shocking is that even major online retailers offer links to
companies selling these dog kits. Even more shocking is that anyone can just
as easily purchase a harness for their dog of the type that a blind person
would use with their guide dog.

It’s hard to comprehend that people would fake a disability to take their
dog on vacation with them. “I receive plenty of calls from people who do not
have disabilities, but are going out of town and need to take their dogs
with them. They are looking to find out where they can get certification,”
says Jose Lopez, director of communications for The Lighthouse of Broward
County, Florida.

Becky Barnes, past president of Guide Dogs Users, Inc., has also fielded
calls over the years from people looking to get their dogs certified as
service dogs. To this, Becky explains, “The best way to get certification is
to go through a proper training program. The law does allow for individuals
to train their own dogs to be service dogs, but I wouldn’t recommend it, as
the individual needs to be matched with the appropriate dog.”

Purchasing a service dog certification or an official looking ID through one
of these companies doesn’t make your dog a service dog, and these companies
are causing havoc for legitimate service dog handlers.

Lopez said, “People with legitimate service dogs are being questioned more
than ever, and their fear is that they will have to carry around
identification stating their disability.” Barnes added, “Currently, the ADA
states that business owners are only allowed to ask if the dog is a service
dog, and what they are trained to help with.” The current law doesn’t
require service dog handlers to carry around any special identification.

Barnes also added, “I think the fear of service dog handlers is that they
will be questioned even more. Right now our rights are very clearly stated
by the ADA.

Bev Klayman, manager of admission services for Guiding Eyes for the Blind
has her suspicions about illegitimate service dogs. “I’ve seen dogs with
service dog tags misbehaving and acting aggressively in public. The general
public cannot differentiate between dogs that have been legitimately trained
to be service dogs (and those that have not). These illegitimate service
dogs are causing scenes and causing a bad representation of service dogs.”

One area where service dog handlers are running into a lot of trouble is
with the airlines. With heightened security at airports, service dog
handlers are receiving even more scrutiny. On a recent trip to the airport,
Becky was told by the clerk at the check-in counter, “That’s not a service
dog. Service dogs don’t wag their tails!”

It definitely is never dull for service dog handlers. You never know what
you will hear next. Considering the times we live in, one would expect to
get hassled at the airport, as a little bit of a hassle goes a long way to
making us feel safe and secure. So you could imagine Jose Lopez’s surprise
on a recent flight when he was flipping through the Sky Mall magazine, and
what did he come across? An advertisement in the magazine selling a service
dog kit to take your dog with you wherever you go!

Becky Barnes said, “Currently, these companies aren’t breaking any laws.
“With service dogs there doesn’t seem to be a white and black area but a
huge gray area.” She added, “Discussions have begun to make it a misdemeanor
to misrepresent your dog as a service dog. Unfortunately, it is being taken
as seriously as pirating music.”

[Note: while it is not illegal for companies to sell items to identify
service dogs, in many states it is illegal for someone to pretend to have a
protected disability in order to gain access for their pet dog in places
where it would otherwise be banned. — Ed.]

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Publish Date: September 19 2012
Tags: Leadership, Dog Training, Americans with Disabilities Act, dogs, fake
service dog, service dogs, Training

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